During the COVID-19 pandemic, Essex County Health Officer Maya Harlow wished she had a crystal ball that could predict where COVID cases were originating to prevent infection before it happened.
When she became the founding director of the Essex County Office of Public Health Management in 2021, Harlow settled for the next best thing: data and emerging technology.
In 2023, her department began using geospatial artificial intelligence and machine learning technology built by the software company Esri to tackle a wide variety of public health issues, ranging from rodent complaints to flu outbreaks. The same technology was used as the backbone for the iconic Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard. It’s no crystal ball, but it’s a start.
To read the full article by Jackie Roman from NJ Advance Media, click here.